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Convictions in Korea Highlight
Anxieties Over Economy, Politics

By

Michael Schuman ,

Namju Cho and

Michael Williams of

The Wall Street Journal .

Updated Aug. 27, 1996 12:01 a.m. ET

SEOUL -- When a South Korean court sentenced one former president to death and another to a long prison term Monday, this nation was issuing a declaration to itself and the world: South Korea wants to be as free and stable as it is rich.

Chun Doo Hwan, a military strongman who ruled from 1980 until 1987, and Roh Tae Woo, a former general who ran the country from 1988 to 1992, were found guilty of treason, mutiny and corruption. Mr. Chun drew the death penalty and Mr. Roh 22 1/2 years in prison. Thirty-one other...